Kirk Cousins ​​​​didn’t see this as a short-term move. The quarterback said he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 11 not just because of the $100 million in guarantees over four years, but because it was a place where he wanted to retire.

His wife, Julie, is from Georgia and her family, who live in the area, are die-hard Falcons fans.

But when Atlanta surprisingly selected Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall draft pick on April 25, it raised questions about Cousins’ future.

After Tuesday, that future has come sooner than expected.

The Falcons named Penix the starter a day after Cousins ​​increased his league-leading interception total to 16. The Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Sunday, ending a four-game losing streak and silencing growing speculation that a quarterback change was imminent. Cousins ​​was 11 of 17 for 112 yards with a TD and the pick. His QBR of 9.0 was the second-lowest in the league in Week 15, better than the 3.6 posted by Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston (also benched on Tuesday).

Included is Penix, the former Washington star who has an exceptional arm and posted a 91.3 QBR on deep routes at the collegiate level last year.

Here are five key questions facing Cousins, Penix and the Falcons, who have a 29% chance of making the playoffs, according to FPI.

Why take the step now?

Marc Raimondi: Falcons coach Raheem Morris said in the preseason that when he can no longer win games, it’s time to bench a quarterback. In Atlanta’s 6-3 start, Cousins ​​ranked fourth in passing yards (2,328) and ranked fourth in passing touchdowns with 17. He was one of eight players with multiple games with four passing touchdowns this season.

Then the wheels came off.

From Weeks 10 to 14, Cousins ​​became the first player since Brett Favre in 2005 to throw at least eight interceptions without a passing touchdown in a four-game span.

On Sunday it was clear that the coaching staff didn’t trust him. For the first time in his career, Cousins ​​didn’t throw a pass on first down in the first half and had just 17 total pass attempts.

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What is the Falcons’ remaining schedule and what are their playoff chances?

Raimondi: Penix will make his first regular-season start Sunday at home (1 p.m., ET, Fox) against the 2-12 New York Giants. The Falcons are 8-point favorites.

Afterwards, the Falcons visit the Washington Commanders for a “Sunday Night Football” style game.

Atlanta ends at home against the Carolina Panthers. That’s three winnable games and two the Falcons should win. So maybe Penix will save the season. If not, he will still get the representatives he desperately needs by 2025.

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What will the reaction be in the locker room?

Raimondi: Straight keel. If Cousins ​​had remained the starter, his teammates would have fought for him. Now they ride with Penix, who has supported us since his arrival and delivers first-class performance.

Penix got the locker next to Jessie Bates III’s, which wasn’t a coincidence. Bates is one of the team leaders and one of the most respected players in the NFL. He helped take Penix under his wing and keep him motivated when the team needed him.

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What did Penix look like in preseason and how can he spark the offense?

Raimondi: Penix played one game against the Miami Dolphins and went 9 of 16 for 104 yards without a touchdown or an interception. The Falcons didn’t play him in their other two preseason games, and Morris said they’d seen enough from him.

During training camp, Penix was inconsistent at times, which isn’t surprising for a rookie. But he also made some throws that made you understand why the Falcons were high enough on him to take him at No. 8. The arm talent is undeniable.

Cousins ​​was unable to throw the ball deep and appeared to have lost speed.

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What does this mean for Cousins’ future in Atlanta?

Jeremy Fowler: It’s practically over. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the team turns to Cousins ​​in 2025. The Falcons made it clear in their statement that Penix is ​​the quarterback “moving forward.” Translation: We’re not looking back.

This lets the player and team weigh their options. Cousins’ contract is tradeable. Paying him $62.5 million in guarantees for 14 starts is painful, but his only guarantee for next year is his base salary of $27.5 million. Capable veteran quarterbacks will have suitors.

At least five teams currently slated to be drafted in the top 10 in April need quarterback help, only the supply can’t meet the demand in a class considered weaker at the position. Atlanta, which has little leverage due to the bench, could offer to cover some of the salary to make a deal possible. Even if the market for Cousins ​​wouldn’t be as strong as it is for younger, more productive options like Sam Darnold, Cousins ​​may be able to sell improved mobility to potential landing spots in his second season after tearing his Achilles tendon. And it only takes one team to believe in its remaining abilities. Cousins ​​was selected to the Pro Bowl four times as recently as 2022.